Life style and (preventive) health examination; personal characteristics

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Description topics

Physical activity, 12 years or older

The questions on physical activities were asked to every person aged 12 years or older, and are based upon the so-called Short Questionnaire to Assess Health Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH). This questionnaire aims to provide a complete view of a person-s physical activity. Frequencies and durations of the following physical activities were asked for:
1.Commuting to work or school by cycle or on foot,
2.Activities at work or in school,
3.Housekeeping activities ,
4.Walking, cycling, gardening and doing odd jobs in spare time,
5.Practising sports.
From 2017 onwards, Statistics Netherlands will publish the new physical activity guidelines (drawn up by the Dutch Health Council) for people aged 4 years or older. The figures on physical activity of people aged 12 or older are published for the last time in 2017.

Meeting the Dutch Norm Healthy Exercise

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who comply with the Dutch Norm of Healthy Exercise. This Dutch standard specifies the minimal amount of physical exercise that is required to maintain and improve health. It is based on MET values (metabolic equivalents): 1 MET corresponds to the energy expenditure of sitting, resting, and 5 MET corresponds to 5 times the energy expenditure of this resting metabolic rate. For all activities that are enquired in the SQUASH questionnaire, the MET value has been established.
According to the standard, adolescents aged 12 to 17 years need to perform moderately intensive physical activities (MET value minimally 5) at least one hour daily, such as bicycling. Persons of 18 years or older should perform moderately intensive physical activities at least for half an hour, at least five days a week. For persons aged 18 to 54 years, the MET value should at least by 4, e.g. walking (5 km / h). For persons of 55 years or older, it will do to perform in accordance with a MET value of 3, e.g. quietly walking (4 km / h).
At the end of 2017, the Dutch Health Council published new physical activity guidelines. The figures on the Dutch Norm of Healthy Exercise are published for the last time in 2017.

Inactive

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are inactive. A person is considered to be inactive if there is not a single day in which there is compliance with the Dutch Norm of Healthy Exercise.

Semi-active

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are semi-active. A person is considered to be semi-active if the Dutch Norm of Healthy Exercise is not met, but if he or she still is normally active at least 1 and at the most 6 days (youngsters from 12 up to and including 17 years of age) or at most 4 days (adults).

Norm-active

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are norm-active. A person is considered to be norm-active if he or she complies with the Dutch Norm of Healthy Exercise.